The Norwegian Consumer Council has called for the disease history of fish to be included on the labels of salmon sold in shops, now Iceland may follow.
The Consumers’ Association of Iceland (Neytendasamtökin) has echoed calls from its Norwegian counterpart for the introduction of labelling that would provide the disease history of farmed salmon sold in shops.
This initiative comes in response to recent concerns surrounding environmental issues, particularly salmon escapes, in both countries, according to Icelandic broadcaster RUV.
Debate ignites: Should salmon carry disease history on labels?
Breki Karlsson, chairman of the Icelandic Consumers’ Association said he agrees with the Norwegian Consumers’ Association call to label infected salmon sold in stores.
“Consumers should have the right to receive information about the origin of food,” said Karlsson. “Especially salmon, which has been in the news a lot recently due to a number of unfortunate incidents.”
Berglind Harpa Bergsdóttir, a veterinarian specialist at the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST), confirmed that diseased fish are regularly processed for human consumption in the country, but said they pose no threat to consumers.
“These viruses that cause these diseases do not infect people,” said Harpa.
